Crazy day in the middle of the silly season!

Today! When I got up I thought I had all the time in the world to get of to Greg and Allister's home by 1. Mom needed Lotto tickets. Pick mom up get the tickets take her home. Just doing some computer work and writing and my silence is shattered by a whatsapp message from my daughter. Cristen says she is off duty from 12 to 1 today and can see you.

A little bit of adjusting to be done. One big one is Does mom want to see Cristen. – Yes she does so next call to Greg can I bring mom? Gorgeous Greg says NO Problem! AND can I pitch ½ hr late? Also fine!

Off to the shop for Lotto checking and buying. As we getting into the car Cristen phones. 

"When are you guys coming?" 

"We are leaving New Germany now – gives us 30 minutes!"

"Cool!" says my girl.

We get to the harbour and All I can think of is "Follow That Ship!" – Not so easy! Thank heavens for lovely personal lining the route and steering you in the right direction.

It was just an hour so we didn't manage to get on board but we chatted up a storm in the stormy wind conditions. I watched the clouds scudding by a quite a pace. A helicopter came in to land - the wind was skewing the tail around making it difficult to land, she introduced us to quite a few crew members who helped her settle and look after her. We went in to try to book a 7 day cruise – her treat! For her mom, dad, sister + sister's bf, gran (that's me!) and great gran. I am viewing it with a bit of trepidation!

Then off to our lunch. Lovely company! There was Di and Di and Greg and Greg (no I wasn't seeing double!) Allister, mom and I. 3 friends stretching back in time and two new friends + the dog population and the FOOD! Oh Greg! First the table was creaking and Then I was creaking (and growling weird noises!) the orchids adding an exotic ambience!

Your dogs are so well behaved and are excellent guard dogs.

Guys! Thank you for the island of fun in amongst the rest of the things that happen in the silly season!

Extract from new novel

One last kiss for both of them and then Sharon turned away to hide the tears that were threatening. Just before she disappeared through the gate she turned back to see her parents standing, arms around each other, smiling and waving goodbye. One last wave and then she walked quickly through the gate and stood in line to put her hand luggage through the x-ray machine before stepping through the metal detector.

As she approached the device airport security provided a bin for her cell phone and laptop. She placed her hand luggage and bag on the conveyor belt and was startled to hear the operator shouting "Knife! Knife!" Her bag was removed and searched.

"You've got to be kidding!" she exclaimed as they extracted her tiny penknife. It was so small that it had become entangled in the lining of the bag. It had sentimental value and couldn't even cut anything – the blade, all one centimetre of it, was so blunt. It was a childhood toy given to her by her first boyfriend, thirteen year old Karl. She always carried it with her. She felt that it was a good luck symbol. "Who am I going to threaten with that?"

"Sorry it can't go on board with you."

"So what am I supposed to do?"

"Put it in the bin and then you can proceed."

"But…" Sharon looked at the unsympathetic sea of faces staring back at her. She shrugged her shoulders, bit back the tears, dropped the penknife in the bin, collected her electronics, her bag and her hand luggage and carried on. What a horrible way to start her new life!

She collected her bags and laptop and made her way to the plane. She had never been on a flight before so she watched the people in front of her to see what they were doing. They were carrying what looked like a booklet in their hand – Oh damn – her boarding pass! She stepped to the side to allow other passengers to pass her and scratched in her bag. Just as she was feeling frantic her fingers curled over the booklet. She pulled it out, adjusted her bags and joined the queue again. Her mind raced over a list of things  - "Oh God! Am I becoming OCD?" she thought. "Keep calm – take a few deep breaths … there! You have everything. You can do this!"

By this time she was on the tarmac aiming for (she hoped) her plane. She mounted the steps and had a crazy moment on the top step. She wanted to turn around and wave regally! No maybe it would be better to pretend there were throngs of fans lining the tarmac being kept back by hordes of policemen and security guards all screaming her name!

"That's better, Sharon keep a smile on those lips!" she chided herself as she waited for the hostess to help her find her seat.

Christmas wishes or Happy Holidays?

What's on my mind? Greta Garbo! I REALLY "vant to be alone!" As a result I have not posted for ages.

However it is the time to be jolly and one must socialise otherwise I might as well dub myself

Scrooge! It's been a year of extremes. The highs have flown over the top, the lows have plummeted below ground level I am not sure if I want to wave this year goodbye and wish it good riddance or if I want to cling on to it for as long as possible. This is the latest I have ever left Christmas shopping so I hope I will be home by 8pm! I hate crowds so whoopdedo! My own fault - I just didn't see it coming!

Lets look at two things Christ + Mas = celebration for Christ. I really don't care if his birthday was on another day, lets celebrate it whenever. For years I wanted to change my birthday from the 26th Dec to 26th June but no-one will co-operate! An actual day does not matter. Let us just select a day (Wednesday is convenient) and all (Christians, Jews, agnostics etc) just spend one day to try to be the best person you could ever be and who knows it may become a habit. And if you are Christians I wish you a Merry Christmas and if you are not Christians, well feel free to enjoy our holiday and I will wish you a happy holiday.

Last night a lovely Muslim lady wished me Merry Christmas! Thank you Mariam! And have a good holiday season.

For those of us who are Christians may I take this opportunity to wish you all the joy of Christmas with this photo to remind us where it all began

And for everyone a bit of humour my cat loving self  adores thius cartoon!

Love to all!

Amazon has Full Circle!

My book, "Full Circle" has gone live on Amazon.

"Full Circle" was unveiled on 26th November at a librarian conference in the ICC in Durban.
The official launch took place on 27th November at Exclusive Books.
During the Thisability Expo on the 2nd and 3rd December it received attention from Mr Musa Zulu and Tape Aids for the Blind.

Now it is available as an e-book at Amazon. It can be viewed at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H58VB80